Hard road for motor industry supplier

Troubles at Longbridge and Dagenham have cast a big cloud over Dowding & Mills. Its shares fell to 33 1/4p after it warned that first-half trading conditions have been tough and results will not meet expectations. Taking the bull by the horns, the board is restructuring and will merge electrical services and mechanical services in the UK to create an £80m business, which it hopes will be better placed to serve its customers.